“…Making mistakes is human, and as humans there will be a lot of mistakes made. Never let these mistakes define you as a person but rather let these mistakes be a reminder that you tried your best. Never give up.“
John Stackhouse
GEO Jobe has been serving our clients and partners since 1999, and the key to our success is the people behind our growing company. Here is a brief Q&A with John Stackhouse from the Support Services division, who joined GEO Jobe in Q1 2023.
Q: What is your job at GEO Jobe and what does it entail?
A: My role within GEO Jobe is to maintain customer relations by providing support for our products, whether it’s general questions or technical support. I answer emails, phone calls, and live chats.
Q: What has your career path at GEO Jobe looked like and what attracted you to join the team?
A: My path at GEO Jobe has trained me to hone my customer support skills and make me more confident in providing correct and concise information. What attracted me to GEO Jobe was the better opportunity to grow with a company that cares deeply about its employees. This is the best job I have ever had.
Q: What jobs and experiences have led you to your current position?
A: I have worked with customers all of my working career. My first job was working at a snowball stand with my best friend’s dad. This was my introduction to customer support. I have worked at Starbucks, providing quality products and upstanding customer support. Prior to starting at GEO Jobe, I was employed at my local Sam’s Club, where I worked as a produce associate. As a produce associate, the expectation is to maintain good products for the customers to eat and enjoy safely.
Q: What particular skills or talents are most essential to be effective in your job?
A: The most effective skill to have is being able to understand the client’s issue and provide a concise answer, rather than being unsure. This helps build a good foundation for building relationships with our clients.
Chugach State Park in Alaska
Q: Any advice for recent graduates entering into the job market and aspiring to a similar role?
A: The word of advice from me is Errare humanum est. This means that to err is human––making mistakes is human, and as humans there will be a lot of mistakes made. Never let these mistakes define you as a person but rather let these mistakes be a reminder that you tried your best. Never give up.
Q: What technologies and strategies do you use in your day-to-day work that are key to success?
A: The key to success within the workplace is making sure you have a neat environment to work in, making sure you have all of your things nice and neat, remembering where you left that note, or what document is named what, and using reminders throughout the day to help you stay on task.
Turnagain Arm with my sister during Winter in Alaska
Q: What would you like to learn more about or incorporate into your daily work?
A: Being able to provide acceptable office speech translated into text to provide for the clients through email. Being able to talk more technical and provide professional language. These are some examples of things that I would like to work on.
Q: On a more personal side, do you have a favorite newspaper, magazine, blog, or sources of inspiration?
A: When it comes to my favorite blog, it would have to be MMO Champion, as I am a big fan of the World of Warcraft universe. This is where I go to get updated on the latest news and updates to the game.
Q: What kind of technology do you prefer and why? (Mac or PC, iOS or Android, and other cool tech)
A: When it comes to my preference for technology, it has to be PC and IOS. Throughout my life, I have always been exposed to technology. Growing up, I always had an interest in playing video games. My favorite video games were on PC. This includes World of Warcraft, EverQuest, and other similar titles. As for IOS, I have always had an iPhone and will continue to support IOS.
Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of the office?
A: Outside of the office, I love to go to my local hobby stores and play TCGS, which include Pokemon and Magic the Gathering. Growing up, I have always indulged in TCGS and found immense pleasure in playing them. Being able to interact with others outside of a computer screen is important for me. This is one of the easiest ways for me to do so while also being able to connect with others with the same interests.
The Stackhouse Family at the end of Blueberry Loop, a hiking trail in Anchorage, Alaska
Learn more about John by connecting with him on LinkedIn. Interested in joining the GEO Jobe team? Keep an eye on our Careers page for future opportunities!
To learn about our variety of GIS products and services and how we could benefit your organization, email GEO Jobe at connect@geo-jobe.com.
